‘You go through some dark times’ – John Higgins lifts lid on struggles as he finally ends four-year hoodoo

JOHN Higgins has opened up about the effects of his four-year winless run after triumphing at the World Open.

It marks his first ranking title since the 2020/21 Players Championship, and the poor run of results left him asking why he continued with the sport.

Higgins’ win in Hong Kong was his first in four yearsGetty

He went through some ‘dark times’ while in a trophy droughtGETTY

The four-time world champion beat Joe O’Connor 10-6 in the final for the 32nd ranking title of his career.

Speaking to WST TV after the World Open, he discussed ‘dark times’ as he struggled to bounce back from the dip in form.

Higgins said: “You go through some dark times, drives home and flights home and you’re talking to yourself asking if you need to do it, if you need to put yourself through it.

“As I’ve always said, the competitive nature within yourself that has got you to a certain level within the sport probably wouldn’t allow you to back down and drift away meekly.

“That’s what’s kept me driving on to try and taste the winning feeling again.”

The result will hopefully see him kick on, leaving behind the mire of the past four years.

He continued, saying “I felt great, I felt no pressure whatsoever and it was a big monkey off my back really because I’d lost in some pretty heartbreaking finals.

“To get that off my back I’m now thinking that I’ve proved to myself I can do it at this age alongside the likes of Ronnie (O’Sullivan) and Mark (Williams).

“They are two players I admire so much, so this was a big win for me.”

The win was a crucial one for Higgins, boosting him to eighth in world rankings and extending his stay in the top flight of snooker for the next two seasons.

He said he is looking forward to having more agency over the tournaments he plays in.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in the right space to pick and choose events like some of the other boys, but I think now it will give me the scope to not play in as many tournaments,” he said.

“I know I’ve said before ‘what else would I do’ but with having that cushion I’m going to have where you can be pretty much be guaranteed then it’s good to be able pick and choose.”